Extender assembly for extension planks

ABSTRACT

A longitudinal extender assembly for telescoping slatted extension planks which have a plurality of transversely spaced, longitudinal members. The extender assembly includes a U-shaped frame having sidebars fitting alongside the outer members of the extension plank, and top and bottom transverse crosspieces located at the open end of the frame. One end of the plank is insertable between the crosspieces so that the extender projects longitudinally from the plank to increase the length thereof.

United States Patent Williams et al.

[54] EXTENDER ASSEMBLY FOR EXTENSION PLANKS [72] Inventors: Charles P. Williams; William K.

Williams, both of P. O. Box 48, Golden City, Mo. 64748 [22] Filed: Nov. 11, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 197,731

[52] US. Cl. ..182/223 [51] Int. Cl ..E04g 5/08 [58] Field of Search ..l82/222, 223, M9

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,447,865 8/1948 McClintock ..182/223 2,558,419 6/1951 Cramer ..182/223 [451 Nov. 21, 1972 Steneman 1 82/223 Pierce ..l82/223 Primary Examiner-Reinaldo P. Machado Attorney-Schmidt, Johnson, Hovey & Williams [57] ABSTRACT A longitudinal extender assembly for telescoping slatted extension planks which have a plurality of transversely spaced, longitudinal members. The extender assembly includes a U-shaped frame having sidebars fitting alongside the outer members of the extension plank, and top and bottom transverse crosspieces located at the open end of the frame. One end of the plank is insertable between the crosspieces so that the extender projects longitudinally from the plank to increase the length thereof.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures EXTENDER ASSEMBLY FOR EXTENSION PLANKS This invention relates to extender assemblies for scaffold planks or the like which are mountable upon the plank to increase the length thereof.

A common type of extension plank used by painters, paperhangers, etc. comprises telescoping slats which are adjustable relative to each other to vary the overall length of the extension plank. Typically, the extension plank includes a pair of sections, each of which has a plurality of transversely spaced, longitudinal members. Each section includes a transverse element at one end thereof which intersecures the longitudinal members in the desired spaced relationship. The sections are adjustably extendable relative to each other to alter the overall length of the plank to the desired work areas. It is to be understood of course, that the plank is normally supported adjacent its ends upon ladders, ladder clamps or the like.

The standard extension plank which is of a size and weight amenable to handling by a single workman has an overall length, when extended, of approximately ten feet. In many instances it would be convenient for the extension plank to be longer than this standard length in order to avoid the necessity of repeated moving of the support ladders and plank. Manufacture of planks is longer lengths, however, is objectable because of the excessive weight and bulkiness thereof, since it is necessary for workmen to be able to easily move the plank in and out of space-restricted areas.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide an extender accessory for extension planks, which extender may be easily removed from or installed upon the plank to increase the length thereof past the standard length, and which may be carried separately from the plank during entry and exit from the premises.

Another object of the invention is to provide an extender accessory of the class described which is usable in conjunction with slatted-type extension planks of standard design which include a plurality of transversely spaced, longitudinal members, the extender including a pair of sidebars defining an open end for receiving an end of the extension plank, and first and second longitudinally spaced, transverse crosspieces secured to the top and bottom of the sidebars adjacent the plank receiving ends thereof for holding the extender accessory upon the extension plank.

Another object of the present invention in accordance with the preceding object is to provide a stop affixed upon and projecting from one of the crosspieces into a space between adjacent ones of the members of the extension plank, the stop being engageable with the extension plank to deter removal of the extender from the extension plank.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are specifically set forth in or will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred form of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the extender assembly and partially showing the extension plank;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a modified form of the extender assembly; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the extender assembly illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 10 generally indicates a common type of extension plank which is adjustable in length. The extension plank includes a pair of sections 12 and 14 of like construction. Each section includes a plurality of transversely spaced, longitudinal members 16. Transverse elements intersecure the ends of the longitudinal members in the desired, transversely spaced relationship. At the left-hand end of section 12, for instance, the transverse securing element comprises a plurality of spacers 18 disposed intermediate the longitudinal members 16 so as to intersecure and close the left-hand end of these members. V

The longitudinal slat members 16 associated with section 14 align with the spaces 20 intermediate the longitudinal members of section 12. Accordingly, the sections 12 and 14 are presented in telescoping relationship permitting longitudinal adjustment therebetween to alter the overall length of the extension plank 10.

The extender assembly contemplated by the present invention is generally designated by the numeral 22. Extender 22 has a U-shaped frame which includes a pair of elongated, longitudinally extending sidebars 24 and 26 which fit alongside the outer bar 16' and outer spacer 18 of telescoping section 12. A transverse end bar 28 interconnects first, left-hand ends of the sidebars 24 and 26, while at the other ends of the sidebars there is provided an opening 30.

Also interconnecting the sidebars 24 and 26 are first and second longitudinally spaced, transverse crosspieces 32 and 34. Crosspiece 32 is secured upon the top edge of the sidebars at the right-hand ends thereof, while the other crosspiece 34 is secured along the bottom edges of the sidebars at a location longitudinally spaced from crosspiece 32 toward end bar 28. The longitudinal spacing of the top and bottom crosspieces 32 and 34 present a sufficient area at opening 30 for intersection of extension plank end 36 therethrough. One or more stops 38 project upwardly from the bottom crosspiece 34 into aligned spaces 20 defined between adjacent longitudinal slat members 16 of section 12. A lip 40 is secured at the lower edge of transverse end bar 28 and depends downwardly therefrom.

A top plate 42 lies over the extender assembly 22 to present a continuous walking surface therefor. In the embodiment illustrated, the top plateis in the form of a grid or latticework for weight considerations and has an overhang 44 that fits over the outer edges of the sidebars 24, 26 and end bar 28. Plate 42 also has a depending lip 46 which engages the inner wall of transverse end bar 28. The top plate 42 extends into abutment with top crosspiece 32 and this, in conjunction with cooperation of its overhang 44 and lip 46 with the extender 22, positively prevents accidental sliding of the top plate 42 relative to the extender 22. The top plate 42 can be easily lifted off of the extender 22 to permit separate handling thereof.

The extender 22 is installed upon the extension plank 10 in the following manner. With top plate 42 removed, the extender 22 may be installed upon extension plank 10 while the latter is being supported in a working position upon a ladder or the like without removing the plank from its working location. Normally, the extension plank will be extended to its maximum length when it is desired to install the extender assembly 22 in order to increase the overall length of the plank.

The extender 22 is brought adjacent plank end 36 in angled relationship thereto so that end 36 may fit through opening 30. Once the spacers 18 clear the bottom crosspiece 34 the extender 22 may be rotated until its sidebars 24 and 26 are substantially parallel to the longitudinal member 16 of the plank, the stops 38 thereupon slipping into the corresponding space 20. The extender 22 may be variably positioned relative to end 36 between the transverse crosspieces 32, 34 and the transverse end bar 28 so as to increase the length of the extender assembly as much asdesired.

A support member 48 such as a standard ladder rail jack is placed below the extender 22 adjacent transverse end bar 28 so as to provide support for that end of the apparatus. Top plate 42 is then placed over extender 22 to complete installation. When so installed, the extender 22 may be adjustably, longitudinally positioned from one extreme where stops 38 engage the corresponding spacer 18, to the other extreme where the end 36 of section 12 engages transverse end bar 28. Ascordingly, the extender 22, while materially increasing the overall length of extension plank 10, also permits substantial variation in the length added to plank 10. Stop 38 cooperates with plank to assist in preventing accidental separation of the extender 22 from section 12. In a similar manner, the lip 40 attached to end bar 28 is engageable with the underlying support 48 during adjustment of the extender so as to assist in preventing separation of the extender from the support and upset of the apparatus.

Inthe embodiment of the extension plank 10 illustrated, there is inclined an additional end spacer 18 at one side of section 12 so that the two sections 12 and 14 are of equal width thereby permitting both of the sections 12 and 14 to be received within opening 30, if desired, when adjustably positioning the extender upon the plank l0. Alternately, extension planks of standard design may omit the outer spacer 18', in which case the extender 22 will be made narrower so that the sidebars 24, 26 each fit alongside an adjacent member 16 of section 12.

The extender 22 may be disassembled by simply reversing the installation procedure above described. After removing the top plate 42 and support 48, the extender 22 is rotated so that the spacers 18 clear stops 38. The end 36 easily slides through opening 30 so that the extender 22- may be completely separated from plank 10 and transported individually.

In the modified form illustrated in FIG. 3, the two sidebars 24 and 26 have lengths 50 at the left-hand ends thereof which are transversely offset toward each other so that the left-hand end of the extender 22' is of substantially less width than the remaining portions of the sidebars. The reduced end is particularly suitable for cooperation and support upon the higher step of a standard size ladder, thereby permitting use of a standard ladder to support an extension plank 10 of standard width substantially greater than the width of the ladder. In this respect, the remaining, wider portion of the extender 22 is of sufficient size to accept the extension plank of standard width, while still presenting the narrower section at 50 for insertion upon the ladder. While the transverse end bar 28' is illustrated at the far left-hand end of the side pieces 24, 26, this end bar may alternately be located at the offset juncture 52. The extender 22' is also rov'ded with at at 4 f and shape corresp ondi ng to the oufe r im nsior s f t fi extender.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A longitudinal extender for an extension plank having a pair of telescoping sections each of which includes a plurality of transversely spaced, longitudinal members and a transverse element intersecuring said members at one end of the section, said extender comprising:

a pair of elongated sidebars adapted to fit alongside the outer members of one of the sections;

a transverse end bar interconnecting first ends of said sidebars, the other ends of said sidebars defining an opening therebetween for receiving said transverse element of said one section; and

first and second longitudinally spaced, transverse crosspieces respectively secured to the top and bottom of said sidebars at locations adjacent said other ends thereof, whereby to permit insertion of said one end of the one section between said crosspieces to adjustably, longitudinally position said transverse element of the one section intermediate 1 said transverse end bar and said crosspieces.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including at least one stop protruding vertically from one of said crosspieces to be received in the space between adjacent members, said stop being engageable with said transverse element to prevent removal of said one end of the one section from said extender.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said first crosspiece is secured to the top of said sidebars at said other ends thereof and said second crosspiece is secured to the bottom of said sidebars intermediate said first and other ends thereof.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said stop is affixed upon said second crosspiece and projects upwardly therefrom.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including a top plate overlying upon said extender, said top plate extending longitudinally from said first to said other ends of the sidebars and extending transversely across said sidebars.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, further including means on said top plate for engaging said extender to hold said top plate on said extender.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including a lip secured in depending relationship on said transverse end bar, said lip being adapted to engage an underlying support for said extender to hold the latter upon the support.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sidebars have lengths adjacent said first ends thereof transversely offset toward each other, whereby to define an end of said extender of substantially reduced width. 

1. A longitudinal extender for an extension plank having a pair of telescoping sections each of which includes a plurality of transversely spaced, longitudinal members and a transverse element intersecuring said members at one end of the section, said extender comprising: a pair of elongated sidebars adapted to fit alongside the outer members of one of the sections; a transverse end bar interconnecting first endS of said sidebars, the other ends of said sidebars defining an opening therebetween for receiving said transverse element of said one section; and first and second longitudinally spaced, transverse crosspieces respectively secured to the top and bottom of said sidebars at locations adjacent said other ends thereof, whereby to permit insertion of said one end of the one section between said crosspieces to adjustably, longitudinally position said transverse element of the one section intermediate said transverse end bar and said crosspieces.
 1. A longitudinal extender for an extension plank having a pair of telescoping sections each of which includes a plurality of transversely spaced, longitudinal members and a transverse element intersecuring said members at one end of the section, said extender comprising: a pair of elongated sidebars adapted to fit alongside the outer members of one of the sections; a transverse end bar interconnecting first endS of said sidebars, the other ends of said sidebars defining an opening therebetween for receiving said transverse element of said one section; and first and second longitudinally spaced, transverse crosspieces respectively secured to the top and bottom of said sidebars at locations adjacent said other ends thereof, whereby to permit insertion of said one end of the one section between said crosspieces to adjustably, longitudinally position said transverse element of the one section intermediate said transverse end bar and said crosspieces.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including at least one stop protruding vertically from one of said crosspieces to be received in the space between adjacent members, said stop being engageable with said transverse element to prevent removal of said one end of the one section from said extender.
 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said first crosspiece is secured to the top of said sidebars at said other ends thereof and said second crosspiece is secured to the bottom of said sidebars intermediate said first and other ends thereof.
 4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said stop is affixed upon said second crosspiece and projects upwardly therefrom.
 5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including a top plate overlying upon said extender, said top plate extending longitudinally from said first to said other ends of the sidebars and extending transversely across said sidebars.
 6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, further including means on said top plate for engaging said extender to hold said top plate on said extender.
 7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including a lip secured in depending relationship on said transverse end bar, said lip being adapted to engage an underlying support for said extender to hold the latter upon the support. 